Roosters add to Knights's nightmare

Page Tools

The Knight-mare has continued for win-less Newcastle after the
Sydney Roosters broke out of their rut with a 32-2 NRL win inspired
by rookie halfback Jamie Soward.

Fast-tracked to first grade to solve the Roosters' halves
puzzle, 2004 Jersey Flegg hero Soward showed experience beyond his
tender years, combining well with pivot Craig Wing in the six tries
to nil victory.

The win was a major relief for Roosters coach Ricky Stuart after
watching his side lose five of their last six matches.

Soward first caught Stuart's eye last season when the youngster
captained the club's undefeated Jersey Flegg team and kicked the
game-winning field goal in the grand final - the final point in his
record season haul of 351.

While the Roosters moved to a 4-5 win-loss record, Newcastle
still hasn't stepped foot in the winners' circle after nine rounds
- that's eight straight losses.

Adding to coach Michael Hagan's woes, the Knight's injury list
blew out to 12 today after both NSW Country centre Matt Gidley
(calf) and halfback Steve Witt (quadriceps) were ruled out for two
weeks.

And there is an injury cloud over Knights centre George Carmont,
who missed today's match with a corked hip.

If that wasn't enough, reserve Matt White was placed on report
for a 60th minute high tackle on Roosters bench player Heath
L'Estrange and Newcastle teammate Adam Woolnough was also reported
for his role in a 62nd minute brawl.

After leading 4-2 at the break, the Roosters sealed victory by
piling on five unanswered second half tries, including a double to
hooker Stuart Webb.

Newacastle's case in the second half was not helped by the
sin-binning of skipper Danny Buderus in the 55th minute for
backchatting referee Steve Lyons.

Newcastle blew its chance to snatch the initiative minutes
before halftime when winger Trent Salkeld failed to ground the ball
off a clever Kurt Gidley kick.

The Roosters drew first blood when winger Amos Roberts crashed
over in the sixth minute off a Soward chip kick, before Newcastle's
Gidley potted a 15th minute penalty.